These are turbulent times in the Czech Republic. Just as the country looked set to buy the Russian Sputnik V vaccine last month, the eruption of the country's biggest row with Moscow since the fall of communism brought such a 'shift to the East' to a juddering halt.
Now, fears are emerging about the extent of Russian influence throughout Czech society, on issues ranging from vaccines to foreign investment.
On April 17, Czech prime minister Andrej Babiš Enjoy access to all articles and 25 years of archives, comment and gift articles. Become a member for as low as €1,75 per week.To read this story, log in or subscribe
William Nattrass is a Prague-based British journalist and Visegrád Four current affairs commentator, who has written for the Independent, the Spectator and Cap X.
William Nattrass is a Prague-based British journalist and Visegrád Four current affairs commentator, who has written for the Independent, the Spectator and Cap X.